The study adds significant support to the weight management potential of the ingredient, said to work by encapsulating particles of palm oil in oats, which are then formulated in a novel emulsion. The slow digestion of the oat fraction enables Fabuless to penetrate deeply into the intestinal system and, since digestion is delayed, it sends a message of fullness to the brain. With 50 per cent of Europeans and 62 per cent of Americans classed as overweight, the food industry is waking up to the potential of products for weight loss and management, with the category already estimated to already be worth $7bn worldwide.

"Consumption of [Fabuless] yoghurt improved weight maintenance compared to placebo, which can be explained by the relatively higher resting energy expenditure (REE) as a function of fat-free mass (FFM), relatively higher decrease in fat mass (FM) and the relatively lower increase in hunger," wrote lead author Kristel Diepvens from Maastricht University. The study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, recruited 50 overweight women (BMI between 25 and 32 kgper sq. m) aged between 18 and 58 years, and assigned them to an initial six-week weight loss period followed by randomisation to receive a daily Fabuless-containing yoghurt or placebo for 18 weeks.

Throughout, the subjects were weighed and measured according to height, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference (weeks 2, 8, and 26). Satiety was evaluated using questionnaires and blood samples for analysis of satiety hormones at weeks 1, 7 and 25. The researchers report that, after the initial weight loss stage, the placebo group regained an average of three kilograms. On the other hand, consumption of the Fabuless supplement was not associated with a significant increase in body weight (gain of 1.1 kg)

Self-reporting of satiety also showed that, compared to the placebo group, the Fabuless group was less hungry four hours after yoghurt consumption at the end of the study. An increase in the glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) values two hours after yoghurt consumption was also observed for this group. The hormone GLP-1 is reported to work by delaying the emptying of the stomach (gastric emptying) and thereby promoting the feeling of fullness. Diepvens also reports that resting energy expedntiture as a function of fat-free mass was significantly higher than predicted for the Fabuless, but not for the placebo, group. Fat mass also significantly decreased more for the test group than placebo (6.5 versus 4.1 kg).

Philip Rijken, head of nutritional science at DSM Food Specialties' Fabuless said the company was delighted with the results. "Regaining weight following weight loss is a key issue for consumers. After investing in a weight loss plan, consumers do not want to experience quick weight regain. This research is a good indication that with Fabuless it may be possible to achieve longer-term results. Offering extensive scientific proof, Fabuless is a strong proposition for manufacturers looking to create innovative weight management products to better support consumers." The ingredient was recently commended at the First International Conference on Innovations and Trends in Weight Loss and Weight Management in Berlin.

Source: International Journal of Obesity Published on-line ahead of print, doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0803532 "Long-term effects of consumption of a novel fat emulsion in relation to body-weight management"